The Trumpet of the Swan

This children's book for early to middle readers is one of the most unique stories I've ever read. You may have heard of the author, EB White, whose claim to fame was another book, Charlotte's Web. I was late to read The Trumpet of the Swan, another story with talking animals and young people who can communicate with them in some capacity. While the storyline is a bit outlandish, the heart of the book can be tapped into for everyday life, with important life lessons that parents, teachers, and children can discuss. Because I read this book with a private… show more.

I like to root for the underdog. I love reading about people, or in this case, a swan overcoming obstacles in life to become extraordinary.  Louis the Swan was born without a voice, yet he found a way to overcome this set back and become triumphant in life.

Reading this story as a kid made me feel like I could achieve anything if I kept working hard and looking for strange opportunities to thrive. Sometimes, you just have to go for it, and without giving too much away, Louis went for it!

E. B. White was such a fine writer that I could have picked three of his books for this list. (He is also the author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.)

But The Trumpet of the Swan is set partly in Montana’s Red Rock Lakes—one of my favorite places in the world—and somehow manages the unexpected miracle of capturing a love for art, family, and the natural world in a single story.